Exposure routes:

Stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets.

Summary

Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA) is a breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, and carpets, including Stainmaster. The chemical is part of a family of perfluoroalkyl carboxylates, all with structures similar to the well-known chemical contaminant PFOA, but with carbon chain lengths ranging from 4 to 15 carbons. PFUnA is the 11 carbon version of PFOA.

All of these perfluoroalkyl carboxylates are highly persistent. But those with carbon chain lengths of at least 8 carbons are of particular concern because they are known to be bioaccumulative, globally distributed pollutants. These chemicals have been found in human and wildlife blood and tissues from around the globe, even in remote locations such as the arctic (3M 2000; Bossi 2005; Guruge 2005; Smithwick 2005; Van de Vijver 2005; Lange 2006).

While there has been very little research done on the toxicity of PFUnA itself, PFOA has been studied extensively. Animal studies have linked PFOA exposure to low birth weight, decreased growth, decreased pituitary size, increased number of dead or cannibalized pups, decreased breast-feeding, decreased liver size, delayed puberty, altered reproductive cycles and hormone levels, decreased kidney size, immune system problems, cancer, and death (EPA 2002; York 2002). In January of 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Science Advisory Board recommended that PFOA be classified as a likely human carcinogen.

In January of 2006, the EPA asked eight manufacturers that use PFOA to reduce production 95% by 2010, and to stop using it altogether by 2015. But because PFOA never breaks down, this means that every PFOA molecule on the planet is here to stay; opportunities for humans (and other animals) to be exposed continuously to PFOA will continue even after production ceases. Furthermore, similar action has not been taken on chemicals that break down into PFOA or its related perfluoroalkyl carboxylates, making EPA's action even less effective for actually making meaningful reductions in exposures to these compounds.

PFUnA (Perfluoroundecanoic acid)

Breakdown product of stain- and grease-proof coatings on food packaging, couches, carpets. An 11-carbon version of PFOA; persistent; bioaccumulative.

PFUnA (Perfluoroundecanoic acid) has been found in 53 of the 88 people tested in EWG/Commonweal studies. It has also been found in 174 of the 2,368 people tested in CDC biomonitoring studies.

Results for PFUnA (Perfluoroundecanoic acid)

PFUnA (Perfluoroundecanoic acid) was measured in different units for some of the studies. Overall it was found in 53 of 88 people tested in EWG/Commonweal studies. The bars below are grouped by units: